Review: Kia JD pro_cee’d GT (2013-15)

Overview

Released in Australia in October 2013, the Kia JD pro_cee’d GT was a three-door, hot hatch. Manufactured in Zilina, Slovakia, the front-wheel drive pro_cee’d GT was powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Turbocharged C4FJ engine

Shared with the Hyundai FS Veloster , the 1.6-litre C4FJ ‘Gamma’ engine had an aluminium cylinder block and head, direct petrol injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger (providing peak boost of 18 psi or 1.24 bar), an air-guided intercooler, double overhead camshafts, variable intake and exhaust valve timing (dual ‘CVVT’), four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.5:1. Furthermore, the pro_cee’d GT was capable of accelerating from rest to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and had a top speed of 230 km/h.

Dimensions

Compared to the FS Veloster , the JD pro_cee’d GT was 90 mm longer (at 4310 mm), 10 mm narrower (1780 mm) and 31 mm taller (1430 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2650 mm). Inside, the pro_cee’d GT had five seats and cargo capacity of 380 litres, though the latter increased to 1225 litres when the 60/40 split rear seats were folded down.

Suspension

The JD pro_cee’d GT had MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension; the suspension was also tuned for Australian conditions with increased damper rebound and compression rates, stiffer springs and bushes and a larger rear anti-roll bar.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the pro_cee’d GT included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The pro_cee’d GT had 300 mm by 28 mm ventilated front brake discs and 262 mm by 10 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the five-door Cee’d hatchback received a five star safety rating which included an 89 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 88 per cent child occupant protection rating. Based on information provided to ANCAP by Kia, these test results were extended to the three-door pro_cee’d which received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 36.19 out of 37.

In the offset crash test, protection of the front occupants was generally rated as good though chest protection was rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test; in the more severe pole test, however, chest protection was rated as weak and abdominal protection as marginal.

Features: pro_cee’d GT and Tech

Standard features for the pro_cee’d GT included 18-inch ‘Graphite Grey’ alloy wheels with 225/40 ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres, a six speaker sound system with MP3-compatibility, a CD player, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB) and Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, power adjustable Recaro front seats with combination leather/suede upholstery, cruise control (with speed limiter), front and rear fog lights, daytime LED running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, a cooled glovebox, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, 60:40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, height adjustable front seats, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror, illuminated vanity mirrors, two 12 volt power sockets (in the centre console), tinted glass, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

Beyond this, the pro_cee’d GT Tech added HID headlights with washers, proximity key, push-button start, panoramic sunroof, illuminated door handles, privacy glass, a 12 volt power socket in the luggage area and a luggage net.

Brochure

• Brochure: Kia JD pro_cee’d GT (September 2014)

Related links

• Specifications: Kia JD pro_cee’d GT (March 2014)
• Specifications: Kia JD pro_cee’d GT (September 2014)
• Kia News: Pro_cee’d GT Hits Excitement Rev Limiter (March 2014)
• Kia Motors Australia: Kia pro_ceed GT
• Wikipedia.org: Kia pro_cee’d GT